Patient goes a long way to say thank you

A Swansea Bay patient has raised £2,500 for the ward which has helped keep her alive – several times.

Helen Morgan, who has a rare blood disorder that wipes out her immune system, has had to call Singleton Hospital’s oncology and haematology ward on more than one occasion after becoming unwell.

Pictured above from L to R: Amy Saunders, Matron, Jo Woozley, ward manager, Stephen Morgan, Jac Morgan, Helen Morgan, and Lowri Williams, nurse.

On each occasion the dedicated team has been able to return Helen to good health.

Wanting to do something to thank the team, Helen asked her work colleagues at Swansea-base haulage firm, A T Morgan and Son, to accompany her on a 10 mile sponsored walk.

She was also joined by a friend, Geraldine Williams, in a sponsored slim.

Helen, who asked family friend and Wales rugby captain Jac Morgan to present a cheque for the money to the ward, said: “Last year we raised funds for the children’s ward in Morriston. That was for personal reasons as we have lost a child a few years ago.

“This year we are concentrating on Ward 12 as I have been a patient there for 24 years.

“I have a very rare and dangerous blood condition which means my immunity disappears completely. I can catch something and my immunity decides to abandon me to it basically.

“I have a telephone line to this ward and if I get a temperature that I can’t get down at home I have to come in and be put on intravenous antibiotics straight away.

“They have literally saved my life a few times.”

Helen, who was full of praise for the ward and its staff, said its work often went unnoticed.

She said: “The work they do here is sometimes very quietly done. I don’t think people know the extent of this ward, the haematology and oncology sides, and how important it is to everybody who does have an issue with immunity or cancer care where immunity is a problem. Until you have actually been and seen it for yourself, which I have several times.

“I’d like to say thank you to them for keeping me alive. I’m still here and I’m still fighting.

“Hopefully, in the future, I will be raising more money for them again.”

On accepting the cheque Jo Woozley, ward manage, said: “We can’t thank them enough. We are so grateful. We never expect anything at all.”

The ward’s matron, Amy Saunders, added: “Donations like this really do help. We can provide additional support for families.

“We have a well-being room, for patients and staff, which we are trying to get up and running. Without the support of people like Mrs Morgan it takes a lot longer to get these services up and running.”

Cathy Stevens, community support officer for the health board’s charity, said: “AT Morgan and son have yet again smashed their fundraising efforts and we are so thankful for everything they do for the charity.

“This money will go a long way in supporting patients in Ward 12 in making their stay more comfortable and also allowing us to purchase specialist equipment to provide the best possible care for our cancer patients.

“Thank you once again.”